Preview: Barnet (A)

Blackpool turn their attention away from league action this weekend and face a tricky-looking trip to League Two Barnet this weekend.

It’s a welcome break for The Seasiders, who have lost their last two league matches, and boss Neil McDonald is expected to make changes at The Hive Stadium.

They come up against a Barnet side recovering from a slow start to the campaign, with Martin Allen’s men going into the game unbeaten in their last four matches.

The Opposition

Saturday’s victory over Exeter City was the latest in an impressive run of results for Barnet, who are currently sat in 17th place on 20 points.

The League Two outfit have also beaten the likes of York City and Oxford United in recent weeks, so will have a spring in their step.

Allen guided Barnet to promotion by winning the Conference title last season and has them well clear of the relegation zone at this moment in time.

The goals of Michael Gash and John Akinde are firing them up the league, with the duo hitting six goals apiece so far this season.

Team News

Bolton Wanderers loanee Hayden White will be unavailable to McDonald, after the right-back came off with a hamstring injury on Tuesday.

Lloyd Jones remains a long-term absentee, but Kwame Thomas has been granted permission by Derby County to feature in the competition.

Barnet will be without duo Bira Dembele and Sam Muggleton, who are both out for between three to five weeks.

Pre-Match Talk

McDonald said: “We’re looking forward to the challenge and are certainly trying to progress to the next round. As a player I played in a final in 1989 against Liverpool. As a coach I’ve won a couple of games and the same as a manager, so hopefully we can keep that going.”

Barnet assistant Gary Waddock said: “The FA Cup is always special. It’s a game we’re looking forward to, Blackpool are in a league higher than us so it’s high on our list of priorities - we want to do well.”

Coverage

Tangerine PlayerHD will be providing full 90 minute commentary from the match, while the Blackpool FC Twitter feed will be providing live updates for the entirety.

Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, PlayerHD and social media.